Learning Uncut

In this year-in-review episode, Michelle Ockers and Michelle Parry-Slater reflect on 2025 through the lens of Learning Uncut. They discuss professional highlights, patterns emerging across the podcast's case studies, and what the year revealed about relevance, value and the human role in L&D. The conversation explores learning culture, co-design, learner agency and the normalisation of AI, alongside reflections on community, lived experience and the evolution of the podcast itself. Host: Michelle Ockers Transcript and related resources: https://learninguncut.global/podcast/177/ Podcast information and more episodes: https://learninguncut.global/podcast/

This episode explores NAWIC ACT's award-winning mentoring programme for women in construction. Jo Farrell from Build Like a Girl and Jana Clyde from Wisdom Learning discuss addressing gender equity challenges through structured mentoring. They cover participant matching, workshops, psychological safety measures, and the importance of time in building trust. Jo shares her journey from apprentice to mentor, whilst Jana explains key design principles. The conversation examines retention challenges, programme evolution since 2017, and signs of cultural change in the industry. Host: Michelle Ockers Transcript and related resources: https://learninguncut.global/podcast/176/ Podcast information and more episodes: https://learninguncut.global/podcast/

Donald H. Taylor joins Michelle Ockers and co-host Michelle Parry-Slater to unpack findings from the latest instalment of his multi-year research on AI in L&D, conducted with Eglė Vinauskaitė: The Race for Impact. They discuss how AI has reached an inflection point, becoming a standard part of the L&D toolkit, along with its growing use in research and analysis. The conversation also examines three possible futures for L&D emerging from the research, each with implications for how the profession may evolve. Host: Michelle Ockers Transcript and related resources: https://learninguncut.global/podcast/175/ Podcast information and more episodes: https://learninguncut.global/podcast/

Hannah Ryan, Learning and Capability Manager at Versent, joins Michelle Ockers to share how she helped shape a vibrant learning culture at the Australian technology consultancy, recognised with the 2025 AITD Excellence Award for Best Learning Culture. As Versent's first and only L&D professional, Hannah reflects on how she reshaped her role managing an LMS and leadership program to enabling learning in the flow of work. The conversation dives deep into Craft | 180, a peer-led, program designed to grow technical mastery. Hannah unpacks how Versent cultivates self-directed learning, builds deep craft expertise, and strengthens community across a geographically dispersed and technically diverse workforce. This episode offers a compelling example of modern, scalable L&D practice—where learning is embedded, employee-led, and aligned with business and individual growth. Host: Michelle Ockers Transcript and related resources: https://learninguncut.global/podcast/174/ Podcast information and more episodes: https://learninguncut.global/podcast/

Matthias Nauwelaers, Learning Experience Lead at Imec, joins Michelle Ockers to discuss how Imec is building the capability of its frontline people leaders. In a fast-growing, highly technical R&D environment, consistent leadership is key. Matthias shares how Imec replaced ad hoc, inconsistent manager development with a scalable, structured program grounded in real work, peer support, and behavioural change. Learn how they engaged stakeholders, designed for busy experts, and built momentum through iterative improvement—creating a practical, flexible approach that supports leaders across the globe. Host: Michelle Ockers Transcript and related resources: https://learninguncut.global/podcast/173/ Podcast information and more episodes: https://learninguncut.global/podcast/

Christine Gaynor-Patterson joins Michelle Ockers to share how she and her L&D team enabled 10,000 professionals in a large US-based organisation to support workforce AI literacy. Drawing on her blend of experience in education, change management and learning design, Christine approached AI as a tool to enable humans to do better work. She discusses her team's framework for AI literacy, change enablement strategies, and how they tailored support at scale. A practical, example of how L&D can lead responsibly in the evolving AI landscape. Host: Michelle Ockers Transcript and related resources: https://learninguncut.global/podcast/172/ Podcast information and more episodes: https://learninguncut.global/podcast/

Michelle Ockers is joined by Ben Campbell, CEO of the Australian Institute of Training and Development, and organisational capability expert Lisa Elias to discuss the development of AITD's first-ever L&D Capability Framework. In addition to being our podcast host, Michelle was the Project Lead on this community-driven initiative, and offers insight into how the project came to life, its collaborative design process, and what it offers the Australian L&D profession. The trio explores the framework's purpose, structure and practical applications for individuals, teams and organisations. Learn how it establishes a common language for capability and raises the bar for L&D practice across the country. Host: Michelle Ockers Transcript and related resources: https://learninguncut.global/podcast/171/ Podcast information and more episodes: https://learninguncut.global/podcast/

When James Swift moved from Sales into his L&D role at Leyton UK, he started as many do—trusting the 'L&D experts', buying content, and chasing engagement. But it didn't deliver results. So he flipped the script. In this episode, James shares how he built a culture of accountability, motivation, and autonomy—putting learners in charge of their own development. Discover how informal coaching evolved into a structured pathway, and why trusting people to learn their way outperformed content-driven solutions in driving real performance. Host: Michelle Ockers Transcript and related resources: https://learninguncut.global/podcast/170/ Podcast information and more episodes: https://learninguncut.global/podcast/

Lane Hannah, Learning and Capability Manager at One New Zealand, Angela Forde, Learning Experience Design Lead, and Dan Hibberd, Co-founder of Makeshapes, discuss a revolutionary approach to learning. They highlight how peer-to-peer collaboration is reshaping training amid a brand transformation. The trio emphasizes the power of social learning and innovative strategies for employee empowerment and adaptability in the face of AI integration. They offer practical insights for fostering a modern learning ecosystem tailored to diverse organizational needs.

Amy Vig, head of the internal learning team at KPMG Australia, shares insights on preparing a workforce for an AI-centric future. She discusses the innovative AI Learning Academy aimed at cultivating essential AI skills through a collaborative curriculum. The conversation highlights the importance of psychological safety and continuous learning. Vig delves into user-friendly design, community involvement, and iterative development, emphasizing adaptive strategies and stakeholder engagement to ensure effective learning outcomes.